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Silverfish in Arizona: Do You Need Pest Control to Keep them Away?
Hire silverfish pest control experts in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Arizona residents are no stranger to silverfish infestations, especially during warm and humid months when the insects are most active. With their long, flat bodies and slippery movements, these pests can easily sneak into homes through small cracks in foundations or other openings.
They are also adept hitchhikers and can quickly spread throughout a home via cardboard boxes or used furniture. In addition to causing damage to fibers and other organic materials, they also emit a pungent smell that can be unappealing.
Homeowners who suspect an infestation should take preventive steps such as performing regular inspections of vulnerable areas and sealing any identified points of entry. Early recognition is key for controlling the infestation, enlisting the help of a good residential pest control service, and mitigating any potential damages.
Causes of Silverfish Infestation
Silverfish are an irritating pest due to their unsightly appearance and the damage they can cause. Common causes of silverfish infestation include indoor conditions that are damp and humid, such as those found in poorly ventilated bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
Silverfish also thrive in cluttered areas with lots of objects for them to hide under. Old books and magazines are particularly attractive to these insects due to the starches used in their binding. Starchy food items such as crackers, flour, pet food, or even spilled oatmeal can attract a silverfish infestation as well. Finally, cracks in walls or flooring provide access points for silverfish to come inside buildings and access hidden sources of sustenance.
When Silverfish Get Out of Hand: Somebody Call a Pest Exterminator
Some key signs of silverfish infestation to look out for include the presence of musty odors, silvery trails on surfaces such as flooring or walls, small holes in fabrics or wallpaper, or, of course, actual sightings of the wiggly little creatures. Surprisingly, silverfish can live for up to eight years, and occasionally some people may be allergic to their molted skin and excrement.
Investing in a dehumidifier can go a long way toward making your home less attractive to silverfish. Because they love humidity, reducing the moisture in the air to 60 percent or less could be very helpful. Installing ventilator fans or even being diligent about opening windows after showering and cooking may also help reduce the moisture in your indoor space.
Silverfish may not be the most aggressive or destructive pest, but they’re just gross! These slithery creatures love sugary substances, so it’s important to bar them access to sugary and starchy foods. Of course, you will also want to identify potential entry points into the home such as cracks or crevices and seal them up with caulk. Homeowners can also vacuum up any visible silverfish that they spot and remove sources of food and water in the area they’re found in which will help put a stop to the infestation.
Natural repellents may add to your arsenal of tools that are effective in combating silverfish infestations. While not necessarily the most convenient method, cucumber peels may deter them from entering your home—simply adding cucumber peels to areas where silverfish may be lingering can help keep them at bay.
Cedar wood and cedar oil may also be offensive to silverfish. Perhaps surprisingly, rolling up newspaper and spraying it with a fine mist of water, then waiting for silverfish to find it and discarding the paper after a few days is another non-toxic tactic that may help.
Another popular technique for controlling silverfish is the use of traps. Traps are an easy-to-deploy solution that work well in minor infestations but may not be suitable for more widespread problems. Some traps feature sticky surfaces that entrap any insect that comes into contact with them, while others work by luring insects with bait and then trapping them when they enter the trap. The important thing with silverfish traps is to make sure they’re placed where silverfish are likely to find them—in damp areas, near food sources, or near other signs of an infestation.
If you notice any evidence of silverfish in your house, it is important to take action and address the problem swiftly, as in large enough numbers they can damage a wide array of materials such as fabric, paper products, and other organic materials. Ultimately, it may take a combination of various methods to successfully control a silverfish infestation.
A few silverfish may not be a problem, but if you are noticing a major infestation or waves of silverfish that just won’t stop, reach out to a professional exterminator for pest solutions that will last.
Professional Pest Control Services for Silverfish Removal
Exterminators typically use a variety of tools and techniques to get rid of silverfish infestations. These may include spraying insecticidal dust in attics, basements, and closets, and behind sinks and other hiding places for silverfish.
The exterminator may also use an insecticide spray to kill adult silverfish as well as their eggs. Additionally, baits that are toxic to the silverfish but safe for the environment can be placed in locations where they are active to starve out the colony.
Physical removal through trapping or vacuuming is another method used in combination with other techniques. You may find that your exterminator uses similar methods that you’ve tried, but the combination of professional strength products and targeting areas that silverfish find most attractive give experts an upper hand in the silverfish elimination game.
Contact us at Polite Pest to find out how we get rid of silverfish with natural pest control solutions. Silverfish can develop a resistance to some chemicals, but we use solutions that keep this from happening. That way, you’re getting rid of silverfish for good.